Mixing colors accurately can seem daunting for both beginning and experienced painters. However, with some basic color theory and the right tools, anyone can learn to mix colors accurately. The key factors in mixing paint colors are understanding primary colors, color wheels, and color mixing ratios. With practice, painters can train their eyes to discern subtle variations in hue, value, and intensity to mix any color they need. Learning to mix colors opens up greater flexibility and creativity in painting.
Understand primary colors
The first step is to understand the basics of primary colors. Primary colors are sets of pigments that can’t be created by mixing other colors. The primary colors are:
| Red | Yellow | Blue |
All other colors are derived from combinations of primary colors. For example, mixing red and yellow makes orange. Mixing blue and red makes violet.
The primary colors in painting depend on the medium:
| Oil paints | Cadmium red, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue |
| Acrylics | Cadmium red, cadmium yellow, phthalo blue |
| Watercolors | Cadmium red, lemon yellow, phthalo blue |
So make sure you know the primary color pigments for the type of paints you use.
Understand color wheels
A color wheel is a visual representation of color theory. It shows the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and their relationships.
There are two main types of color wheels:
- RYB (red, yellow, blue)
- RGB (red, green, blue)
RYB is traditional for painting. RGB is used in digital displays.
Here are key facts about the RYB color wheel:
- Primary colors – Red, yellow, blue
- Secondary colors – Orange, green, violet
- Tertiary colors – Red-orange, red-violet, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet
- Complementary colors are opposite each other on the wheel (red/green, blue/orange, yellow/violet)
- Analogous colors are side by side on the wheel (yellow, yellow-green, green)
Studying a color wheel helps you understand the relationships between different hues. This theory provides the foundation for mixing colors.
Understand color mixing ratios
The next key concept is color mixing ratios. When mixing colors, you combine different ratios of each primary color to create secondary and tertiary colors.
Here are some common color mixing ratios:
| Orange | 1 part red + 1 part yellow |
| Green | 1 part yellow + 1 part blue |
| Violet | 1 part red + 1 part blue |
| Yellow-orange | 2 parts yellow + 1 part red |
| Yellow-green | 2 parts yellow + 1 part blue |
| Blue-green | 2 parts blue + 1 part yellow |
These mixing ratios serve as a starting point or reference. But you’ll need to adjust the proportions based on the specific pigments and the desired color.
Use a limited palette
It’s best to learn color mixing using a limited palette of just the primary colors plus white. A basic palette might contain cadmium red, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, and titanium white (for acrylic or oil).
Starting with only primary colors forces you to mix all other hues. This helps you understand how the primaries interact to create secondary and tertiary colors. It also ensures you are mixing colors systematically, not just randomly mixing paints.
Once you master color mixing with a limited palette, you can expand your paint collection. But keep the primaries on hand as your mixing base.
Set up a color mixing chart
A color mixing chart is a reference that systematically shows color mixtures. To create one:
- Paint swatches of each primary color along the edges of a page
- Mix and paint swatches of secondary colors between the primaries
- Fill in tertiary colors between the secondaries
- Add labels for each color swatch
Here’s an example color mixing chart:
| Red | Red-orange | Orange | Yellow-orange | Yellow |
| Red-violet | Yellow-green | |||
| Violet | Green | |||
| Blue-violet | Blue-green | |||
| Blue |
Mixing charts serve as handy visual references. They also help reinforce the theory of mixing colors from primaries.
Train your eye
Learning to discern subtle shifts in color is one of the most valuable skills for mixing paints accurately.
Here are some tips for training your eye:
- Study and compare colors in nature and artwork. Notice the variations in hue, value, and chroma.
- Practice mixing two versions of a color and compare them. Can you detect a slight difference?
- Arrange color swatches in order from lightest to darkest. Squint to see the values without the hue.
- View colors in different light conditions. Colors appear differently in sunlight, shade, indoor light.
- Analyze complementary colors. How do they interact with and intensify each other?
The more attention you pay to color nuances, the better you will get at mixing exact shades.
Mix colors systematically
Once you understand color theory, practice mixing colors in a deliberate, systematic way.
Follow these steps for each mixing session:
- Choose a limited palette of primaries plus white.
- Refer to your color wheel or mixing chart.
- Decide which color you want to mix first.
- Determine the appropriate mixing ratios from the wheel or chart.
- Squeeze out paints onto a palette in proper proportions.
- Thoroughly mix the colors together.
- Add white to lighten or darken as needed.
- Paint a swatch and label it for your reference.
- Repeat the process for each subsequent mixture.
Mixing methodically prevents muddying colors and helps you reproduce mixes accurately.
Understand value
Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. It is a crucial aspect of mixing paints accurately.
When mixing a particular hue, you adjust the value by adding:
- White to lighten the value.
- Black to darken the value.
You can create tints of colors by adding white. And shades by adding black.
But it’s preferable to mix accurate values using only the primaries plus white. For example:
- Add more yellow to darken a green.
- Add more blue to lighten a violet.
This maintains color purity and vibrancy.
Arranging color swatches from light to dark helps you see the full value range and identify proper mixing ratios. Squinting eliminates the distracting hue and makes values clearer.
Adjust intensity
Intensity refers to the vividness or dullness of a color. Pure hues straight from the tube have the highest intensity. Mixing in the complement of a color lowers the intensity by neutralizing it.
For example, mixing in a small amount of green will dull the intensity of red. Mixing in orange will gray down blue.
You can also add white, black, or gray to mute intensities. But too much neutral color may lead to muddy mixes.
When you need to lower intensity, try:
- Adding just a touch of the complement
- Increasing the proportion of secondary and tertiary mixes
- Keeping at least some of the primary pigments pure
This helps retain clean, vivid mixtures.
Keep records
Record keeping is vital for reproducing mixed colors accurately:
- Write down every mix along with mixing ratios as you go.
- Take photos of your swatches before cleaning palettes.
- Save and label leftover mixed paints to store mixes.
Records allow you to return to an exact color without needing to remix and match it from your memory.
Over time, this library becomes an invaluable reference tool. You can see how mixing ratios vary across paint brands, palettes, and sessions.
Practice frequently
Regular, sustained practice is key for honing color mixing skills. Aim to mix paints several times a week.
Try:
- Setting aside 30-60 minutes for mixing practice.
- Choosing a limited palette and certain color combinations to focus on.
- Comparing mixes to color photos for accuracy.
- Testing mixtures in different mediums like gouache, acrylics, oils.
Frequent exercises train your eye, brain, and hand to communicate effectively. You’ll gain mastery through continuous practice.
Conclusion
Learning to mix paint colors accurately requires understanding color theory, systematizing your mixing approach, training your eye, and practicing regularly. Take the time to study primary, secondary, and tertiary relationships. Set up organized color charts. Analyze and record your mixes. Mix frequently within a limited palette. Mastering color mixing allows painters to expand their creative flexibility and produce the exact hues they envision. With diligence and dedication to practice, anyone can progress from muddy color blobs to accurate, nuanced mixes. Soon you’ll be expertly blending colors to match any scene or subject. What color will you mix up next?